Can Bulging Discs In Neck Cause Shoulder Pain

Can Bulging Discs In Neck Cause Shoulder Pain

Can Bulging Discs In Neck Cause Shoulder Pain

Degenerative Disc Disease In The Neck

Shoulder Pain | Neck Pain | 4 Bulging Discs

Cervical degenerative disc disease is considered part of the natural aging process with discs losing their shock-absorbing abilities, and flexibility, as we get older. Discs in the cervical spine are put under stress and strain every day, with both chronic and acute trauma leading to chronic and acute neck pain. Pain may also be ca

used throughout the upper back, with shoulder pain, jaw pain, and headaches experienced by many with degenerative disc disease in the neck.

Does Frozen Shoulder Increase Your Risk Of Getting Cancer

Research has recently suggested that a frozen shoulder might be a complication or a symptom of cancer in some cases.

In 2005, for example, a group of doctors shared their experiences with five patients who were referred to their institution following prolonged, ineffective treatment for frozen shoulder. All five ended up having shoulder cancer instead.

The researchers noted that shoulder tumors are uncommon causes of shoulder pain and restricted movement but that, in those who do have cancer, misdiagnosis, inappropriate surgery, and delayed therapy, may potentially have grave consequences.

What Can Cause Sharp Pain In Your Neck And Shoulder When Breathing

A couple of conditions can cause pain in the neck and/or shoulder when you take a deep breath, including:

• Pleurisy : Symptoms include sudden chest pain that may be felt only while coughing or breathing deeply, fever, cough, and shortness of breath.
• Pericarditis : Symptoms include rapid-onset stabbing chest pain, possibly pain in the shoulder, fever, weakness, and trouble breathing. It gets worse if you lie down or breathe deeply.

Pleurisy and pericarditis aren’t usually medical emergencies but you should treat any chest pain or breathing difficulty as an emergency until you know for sure what’s causing it.

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Arm Pain From A Herniated Disc

Arm pain from a herniated disc is possible to experience if the herniation occurs in the middle to lower cervical intervertebral levels. In most instances, the appendage discomfort is blamed on a compressive neuropathy enacted by the bulging disc. This scenario is a very popular diagnosis used to explain symptoms which exist in the shoulder, upper arm, lower arm, hand or fingers. There is often accompanying pain in the upper back or neck, but sometimes the symptoms exist in the limb alone.

This article profiles arm pain experienced in direct relation to a cervical intervertebral protrusion or rupture. We will examine why pain might exist in the arm or hand and how it can be diagnosed correctly and treated.

How Is Arm Pain Treated

Electromyography and nerve conduction velocity tests are useful to determine which nerve is affected, and how severely it is damaged or irritated. The test will often clarify specifically where a nerve is being compressed whether it is a spinal nerve in the neck or a peripheral nerve in the shoulder, elbow, forearm, or wrist.

For patients whose symptoms are not alleviated through other treatments such as physical therapy or injections, surgery to remove or repair the damaged portion of nerve may be necessary.

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Can Neck Pain Be A Cause Of Something Serious

Neck pain is a common complaint for a large portion of the population at any age. This kind of pain can often be debilitating and can make performing even the most simple tasks extremely difficult. It can spring from serious back or nerve issues such as a pinched nerve, herniated disc, or underlying spinal/vertebrae issues.

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What Is A Herniated Cervical Disc

A herniated disc occurs when the gel-like center of your disc ruptures out through a tear in the tough disc wall . The gel material is irritating to your spinal nerves, causing something like a chemical irritation. The pain is a result of spinal nerve inflammation and swelling caused by the pressure of the herniated disc. Over time, the herniation tends to shrink and you may experience partial or complete pain relief. In most cases, if neck and/or arm pain is going to resolve it will do so in about 6 weeks.

Different terms may be used to describe a herniated disc. A bulging disc occurs when the disc annulus remains intact, but forms an outpouching that can press against the nerves. A true herniated disc occurs when the disc annulus cracks or ruptures, allowing the gel-filled center to squeeze out. Sometimes the herniation is so severe that a free fragment occurs, meaning a piece has broken completely free from the disc and is in the spinal canal.

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Shoulder Pain From A Herniated Disc

Shoulder pain from a herniated disc is often diagnosed when a bulging disc exists in the middle or lower cervical spinal regions and is suspected of compressing one of the nerve roots that innervate the shoulder anatomy. Shoulder pain can be associated with a wide range of neck and back pain conditions and can surely come about from a severe disc herniation, given the right circumstances. However, most structural conditions in the spine or shoulder respond well to indicated medical care and should resolve in a matter of weeks.

For incessant pain which defies all attempts at treatment, there may be a completely different reason for the symptoms. Patients must be aware of the alternate possibilities to avoid becoming slaves to lasting symptomatic therapy or victims of unnecessary spinal operations.

This treatise will examine shoulder pain as it may or may not be related to disc pathologies in the neck. The article will also propose other possible sources of these same symptoms when disc issues seem likely to be innocent of blame, being that no definitive nerve interaction is taking place.

Heat Or Ice Treatment

Bulging Disc | Pinched Nerve in Neck | Neck Pain | Shoulder Pain

Warm compresses or cold compresses can help to quickly relieve pain in your rib cage caused by injuries, inflammation, or other painful causes.

According to researchers from the University of Rochester Medical Center, a cold pack or compress can help to reduce pain, swelling, and inflammation in the first 48 hours after an injury. After that time, you should use a warm compress to increase circulation and reduce muscle spasms and stiffness.20

To make a warm or cold compress to treat rib pain in your middle or upper back, this is what you should do:

Cold compress for injuries to your middle back

• Take a bag of frozen peas or place crushed ice in a sealable plastic bag and cover with a thin towel.
• Lie on your front and place the ice pack on your middle or upper back.
• Leave for 15-20 minutes.
• Repeat every hour to help reduce swelling and muscles strain in the first two days after an injury.

• Warm compress for back rib pain

• Fill a hot water bottle with hot, but not boiling water, and cover with a towel.
• Place the hot water bottle under the sore area in your middle back and lie on it for 15 to 20 minutes to help reduce the pain and ease muscle stiffness.
• Repeat 2-3 times a day for best results and continue using until your back pain has gone.

• Hot and cold compresses are also excellent natural remedies for relieving lower back pain.

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  Avoid Lifting Heavy Items

  Lifting heavy items can lead to injuries of your shoulder blades. Therefore, try not to lift heavy weights. It can trigger pain between your shoulder blades. Do not carry bags that are heavy on one side of the shoulder. It can put stress on that particular side of the muscles. Never bend and lift any heavy objects. Try to bend your knees before lifting. It will avoid putting too much pressure on your back. So, by taking precaution, you can avoid any injuries to your back shoulder.

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  Symptoms Of Degenerative Disc Disease In The Neck

  Degenerative disc disease in the neck can remain asymptomatic in some individuals. In others, the patient may suffer from muscle spasms and tenderness in the cervical spine, pain in the neck, and referred pain and paraesthesia in the arm, chest, head, shoulders, and in the lower body. Acute inflammation can cause flare-ups of symptoms with more pressure put on spinal nerves in an already narrowed cervical spine. As the discs degenerate further the space through which nerves and blood vessels in the cervical spine have to travel is increasingly diminished, making myelopathy a likely outcome. This spinal stenosis and spondylosis can be exacerbated by the growth of osteophytes, and other degenerative changes in the bones, facet joints, and ligaments of the spine.

  Disc degeneration leads to stiffness of the neck and back as discs no longer allow the flexibility of movement they did when they were supple and strong. Brittle discs are also more likely to herniate, causing acute pressure in the spine and often resulting in extreme debility and pain. Pain is generally worse at the end of the day, with inflammation and muscle strain building throughout the day for most patients.

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  Heres A Surprise Cause Of Low Back Pain Rounded Shoulders

  More than 80 percent of Americans will experience low back pain at some time in their lives. Total costs of the condition are estimated at more than $100 billion annually, with two-thirds of that due to decreased wages and productivity. This is a huge price for a society to pay for a condition that can be avoided. On an individual level, this is a painful condition that can be prevented with a little attention and care.

  A recent study from the American College of Physicians found that lower back pain is one the most common reasons that people go to the doctor. It is also the accepted basis for taking over the counter anti-inflammatory medication. Now, new guidelines from this study are recommending exercise, yoga, or massage as a better form of treatment than medication.

  This is a huge shift in thinking, and a most welcome one. For years, the go-to solution for back pain has been a quick fix pill, which brings only temporary relief. This intensive study, which combined data from 150 studies, suggests that holistic approaches to the body are a better solution.;As we look to alleviate our back pain with exercise and massage, it brings up a most pertinent question. What is causing our lower back pain?

  So, if rounded shoulders are causing your lower back painwhat can you do to unwind your stiff and tight shoulders and get them back on your back where they belong?

  Here are 4 Easy Exercises to Retrain Rounded Shouldersand to Heal Your Lower Back!

  Take care and be well,

  How To Handle Herniated Disc Pain: Tips From A Pt

  

  Have you ever noticed that your neck or back hurts badly, but you cant figure out where the source of the pain is? You know that something is awfully wrong with you, but what it is, youre not quite sure.

  Several possible complications including one or more herniated discs may be demonstrated by strange neck pains, back pain, or limb symptoms. How can you know for sure if youre having this particular problem? And if you do have one, would you know what to do about it?

  There is no need for these questions to worry or scare you. Here are some of our physical therapists useful tidbits of knowledge about herniated discs, their common symptoms, and how physical therapy can help you manage your pain.

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  Can I Prevent Neck And Back Pain

  The following may help to prevent back and neck pain:

  • Practice correct lifting techniques: avoid heavy lifting; when you do lift something, bend your legs, keep your back straight, and then slowly lift your body and the object.

  • Properly use telephones, computers, and other equipment.

  • Maintain correct posture while sitting, standing, and sleeping.

  • Exercise regularly. Learn specific back-strengthening exercises to keep your back muscles strong. Warm up with stretching exercises before doing back exercises.

  • Do exercises that improve your balance.

  • Avoid smoking.

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  How Is A Bulging Disc Or Herniated Disc Treated

  Bulging and herniated discs rarely require invasive surgery. Typically, rest and relaxation is the best way to recover from severe cases of these disc disorders. Doctors usually recommend heating and cooling pads to reduce swelling and pain, and also a number of different daily exercises to help with flexibility and recovery. Also, there are a number of different medicines to help with the pain and swelling, so be sure to ask your doctor what is available and safe for you to take.

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  Signs And Symptoms Of Pain Between Shoulder Blades

  As mentioned, the specific nature of back pain between the shoulder blades makes it something that should not be ignored. Weve outlined some of the possible outcomes of what that pain might entail, and all of those require you to take more action than just taking it easy. Below are some of the more common symptoms of back pain between the shoulder blades that you should be aware. Any of these by themselves or in conjunction means you should at the least consult with a doctor or medical professional.

  • Chronic pain that lasts for anywhere from a few weeks to a few months. That should not be seen as normal.
  • Any sharp explosions of pain in the area.
  • If the pain starts out in-between your shoulder blades, then extends out to other areas of your back and even your arms, theres probably an issue.
  • Almost stabbing-like pain in-between the shoulder blades is another indicator.
  • Lingering pain that stays with you throughout the day, every day.

  Again, either of these symptoms are not to be taken lightly. Better to find out whats wrong early rather than wait till the condition worsens. Know the signs and act on them immediately.

  Neck Pain With Headache Treatment

  Arm Pain & Shoulder Pain | Bulging Disc | Pinched Nerve

  There are many treatments for this condition and the foremost thing a doctor does is diagnosing the root cause. Based on the reason he may treat with various medicines and therapies that may include OTC drugs, prescribed medicine, muscle relaxers, cortisone injections, and posture adjustments. They may also recommend physiotherapy if needed.

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  Bulging Disc In The Neck Diagnosis

  Often a bulging neck disc is found during investigation of other back and neck conditions, through an MRI scan or x-ray. It may not have troubled the patient prior to discovery and may require no immediate action after its discovery if the patient remains symptom-free and the disc does not herniate. Some people, however, do suffer symptoms of a bulging disc and this is what precipitates the trip to their physician.

  Having a thorough list of symptoms and their onset and severity will allow the doctor to draw more precise conclusions about what may be happening in the patients body prior to checking the scans. It may be that inflammation due to a different condition is exacerbating the bulging disc and that controlling the inflammation reduces or removes the disc problem without the need for surgery or further treatment.

  How Ddd Is Diagnosed

  Diagnosis is usually arrived at through the use of x-rays, MRI and CT scans. These can highlight structural abnormalities and show spinal stenosis and compression of the vertebra. The use of selective nerve root blocks may assist physicians in isolating the problematic disc prior to treatment, and frequently provide relief from the associated pain after this diagnostic procedure. Treatments may involve gentle, non-invasive spinal decompression using devices for neck pain relief.

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  Could That Shoulder Pain Really Stem From The Neck

  When a nerve root in the cervical spine is irritated, the symptoms can radiate into the shoulder, arm, and hand. WatchCervical Radiculopathy Interactive Video

  When shoulder pain is actually coming from the neck, it is wise to seek treatment as one or more nerves running from the neck into the shoulder could be at risk.

  Can Heartburn Cause Pain Between The Shoulder Blades

  

  When stomach acid makes its way back into the esophagus, it can cause an intense burning in the chest. In some cases, a dull, aching pain can also radiate down from the neck and in between the shoulder blades. You can alleviate symptoms of acid reflux by avoiding spicy, fatty, or acidic foods, such as garlic, onions, tomatoes. Coffee and tea also have a high acid content that can trigger heartburn.

  Sleeping on an incline can help reduce acid reflux at night so your sleep is not interrupted. You can do this by using a wedge pillow or an adjustable bed frame.

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  Herniation Of The Cervical Spine:

  When the discs in your cervical spine are herniated, which are the C2 and C3 vertebra of your spine, then you will experience sharp pain in your neck. The C2 and C3 vertebra are responsible to maintain support between your neck and head. It acts as a pivot point that allows your head to tilt right and left. As this is a common movement that the neck is habituated in doing this repetitive motion for years, the vertebrae discs flatten under pressure and start to expand. If the pressure is constant and continuous, the outer lining of these discs can break. This causes a jelly like fluid that is found inside the discs, to come out into the spinal canal. Herniation of the spinal discs is referred to this condition.

  
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